Windshield cleaner



Aug., 16, 1927.

R. G. AREY WINDSHI ELD CLEANER Filed Dec. 5. 1923 Ill/III,

Wig

atenei i... 16.1921. 1,639,018- -UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH G. AREY, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T WORCESTER BILT- BITE COMPANY, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHU- SETTS.

WINDSHIELD CLEANER.

application mea December s, 192s. serial No. 678,244.

My invention relates to cleaning devices havingv a removable cover 2 which is here for use in connection with windshields, so shown as being arcuate in form, although it that rain, snow, and other similar matter is not necessarily so. As best shown in Fig. can be wiped from the face ofthe windshield 4, the cover 2V is bent over along its edges,

5 and a clear space thus be provided, through as indlcated at 13, which bent over portions so which the driver of an automobile, or other coact with projections 4 provided on the vehicle, can readily see. casing lto maintain the cover 2 in position.

In my copending application, Serial No. The. material of` the cover 2 is preferably 641,960, ledMay 28, 1923, there is shown of a somewhat resilient nature, so that it and described an improved windshield is possible to flex the portions 3 past` the 66 cleaner, in which the wiping element is projections4 when it is desired to remove 'operated byy-an improved electro-magnetic the cover 2.

device having all the capabilities of a small As best shown in Fi 3, the back ofthe electric motor, without the complication and casing 1 is provided with a hollow boss 5 high manufacturing cost of the latter. extendin through an opening 6 provided in 70 My present invention contemplates a a frame of the Windshield. The boss 5 is windshield cleaner in which the wiping elethreaded, and a nut 8, coacting therewith, ment is actuated by an electro-magnetic deserves to clamp the cleaner to the windshield vice operating on the same magnetic prinframe 7. The boss 5 is further provided ciple as the device of the above mentioned with an opening 9, see Fig. 4, in which is 75 copcnding' application, but embodying radirotatably mounted a shaft 10 carrying at its cal improvements in mechanical arrangeend a wiping element, designated at 11 in ment and constructionwhereby the device Figs. 1 and 2. While any desired form of is rendered more effective and reliable in wiping element may be employed in con operation, and is made capable of ready nection with the shaft 10, I have illustrated 80 adjustment and control. The above and a particular form ofw wiping element and other advantageous features of my invention holder which is fully shown and described will hereinafter more fully appear, reference in my copending patent application, Serial beingphad to the accompanying drawings in No. 678,245 and filed December 3, 1923.

which For this reason, details of the vwilziing ele- 85 Fig. l is a view of a portion of the rear ment 11 will not be further described face of a windshield, showing my improved herein. cleaner mounted thereon. As best shown in Fig. 5, the shaft 10 ex- Fg. 2 is a view in front elevation of my tends through the casing 1 beyond the boss improved cleaner with the front cover re- 5 and terminates in an offset or crank -por- 90 moved therefrom. tion 12. The crank portion 12 is connected Fig. 3 1s a View in end elevation of the by means of a link 13 to a pin 14 provided cleaner shown in Fig. 2. on a spur ear 15 and eccentric with respect Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view along to the `stu 16 on which the gear 15 is ro- 40 the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, looking in the directatably mounted. The gear 15 is in mesh e5 tion of the arrows. with a pinion 17 carried by a shaft 13 ro- Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional View tatable within a sleeve 19 carried by the casalong the line 5-5 of Fig. 2. ing 1. A Worm gear 20 is carried at the Fig. 6 isadiagrammatic view, showin the other end of the shaft 18, and as ciearly position of the armature when deenergized. shown in Fig. 2, is in mesh with a worm 21 10o Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic View, similar to carried on the shaft 22 of my improved elec- Fig. 6, showing the position of thearmature tro-magnetic device, which `will now be de- When energized. l scribed. l Y

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view, showing on As best shown in Fig. 5, the armature an enlarged scale, the details of the circuit shaft 22 is rotatably supported at its ends ma controlling device shown. in Figs. 2 and 5'. in cylindrical bearings 23 andk24 which are Like reference characters refer to like preferably7 of these-called oilless type, parts in the different gures. such as wood, or other ibrous material suit Referring toy Figs. 1 and 3, my d evice' ably impregnated with a lubricaii.. ihe generally consists of a rectangular caslng 1 right hand bearing 24 is enclosed in. metalm im lic sleeve 25 threaded in a bushing 26 carried by the end of the casing 1. The sleeve 25 is counterbored beyond the bearing 24, thus leaving an annular space surrounding the shaft 22, in which is located a length 27 of flexible conducting material which is in contact with both the shaft 22 and the inner surface of the bushing 26. The function of the material 27 is to provide a continuous electrical contact between the armature shaft 22 and the casing 1.

The shaft 22 carries a pair of spaced pole pieces 28 and 29, between which is carried a coil 30 surrounding an enlarged portion 22a of the shaft 22. As best shown in Fig. 4, the pole pieces 28 and 29 are of such length as to leave a narrow clearance space between their curved ends and the top and bottom portions of the casing 1 when the shaft 22 is turned. One terminal of the coil 30 is connected to the pole piece 28, while the other terminal thereof is connected to a contact plate 31 surrounding the shaft 22, and separated therefrom by suitable insulation 32. From the foregoing, it is apparent that an electric current conducted to the plate 31 will traverse the winding 30, to energize the same, from whence it will pass through the shaft 22 to the casing 1, which is shown as being grounded. As previously stated, it is ,one of the objects of my invention to provide an extremely effective device for controlling the energization of the armature coil, and this device will now be described in detail, with reference to Figs. 6, 7 and 8.

As best shown in Fig. 8, a terminal stud 33 extends through one end of the casing 1 and is separated therefrom by insulation 34. rlhe outer threaded end of the stud 33 car ries a thumb nut 35 for suitably securing an electrical conductor 36 thereto, while the inner end of the stud 33 carries, in electrical contact therewith, a disk 37. The disk 37 is of thin conducting material and is provided with an opening 38 for receiving the bearing 23, with an ample clearance space therebetween. A second disk 39 is also carried by the stud 33, this latter disk 39 being separated from the stud 33 and the disk 37 by insulation 40.

The disk 39 is of thin conducting material having a considerable amount of inherent resiliency, and the disk 39 is also provided with an opening 41 clearing the bearing 23. The lower portions of the disks 37 and 39 carry opposed contact members 42 and 43. which are normali spaced apart so that even though the disk 3 is permanently charged, by reason of its connection to the stud 33, the disk 39 remains uncharged until it is flexed enough to bring the contacts 42 and into engagement, by mechanism which will now be described.

As clearly shown in Fig. 8, the disk 39 carries a shoe 44 opposite to the contact 43,

which shoe 44 is always in engagement with the contact plate 3l carried by the armature shaft 22. The plate 3l is provided at diametrically opposite points with projections 45, and as the shaft 22 is turned, these projections are adapted to engage the shoe 44 and iex the disk 39 in the direction of the disk 37 a sufficient amount to bring the contacts 42 and 43 into engagement, as indicated in dotted lines. The `foi'in of the projections 45 is such that the engagement between the contacts 42 and 43 continues through about one eighth of a revolution, he disk 39 returning to its original position as soon as its shoe 44 passes ofi' of a projection 45. It is obvious then that the coil 30 will be energized twice for each complete revolution of the armature shaft 22, and the particular relation between the periods of energization and the angular position of the armature projections 28 and 29 will now he pointed out.

As clearly shown in Fig. 6, a line A, A, passing between the projections 45 through the axis of the shaft 22, is angularly displaced with respect to a line B, B, also passing through the axis of the shaft 22 about which the armature pole pieces 28 and 29 are symmetrical. Assuming then that the shaft 22 is to be turned inthe direction of the arrow, it is apparent that the contact makingT projections 45 have a slight lag behind the armature projections. In the position of parts shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the armature pole pieces 28 and 29 are shown in such a position that the projections 45 are out of engagement with the shoe 44, and consequently the contacts 42 and 43 are out of engagement. The above described position of parts is the inoperative position of the device, in which the winding 30 is deenergized, the armature shaft 22 is stationary and the wiping element 11 in an extreme upper position. Then it is desired to start the cleaner in operation, it is only necessary to take hold of a knob 46 provided at one end of the shaft 22, and thereby turn the shaft 22 until one of the projections 45 engage the shoe 44. When this` occurs, the disk 39 is flexed toward the disk 37, thereby bringing the con tacts 42 and 43 into engagement, and the coil 30 is immediately energized.

Aspreviously pointed out with respect to Fig. 6, the projections 45 have a small angular lag ehind the pole pieces 28 and 29, so that when a projection 45 engages the shoe 44, indicated in dotted lines, the pole pieces 28 and 29 occupy a position in which their leading edges arc close to the top and bottom portions of the casing 1, see Fig. 7. Consequently, when the coil 30 is energized, as above described, the magnetic lines of force tend to i'iow from the pole pieces 28 and 29 to the walls ofthe casing, thereby exerting a torque on the armature which tends to turn litiit in the directionof the arrow. As the armature turns in response to the torque thus developed, one projection 45 leaves the shoe 44, thus separating the contacts 42 and 43 and deenergizing the coil 30. As this occurs, the armature continues to turn in the same direction of rotation by reason of the initial impulse, and as the other projection 45 engages the shoe 44, the coil 30 is again-energized and another impulse given to the ar mat-ure. It is obvious that the armature shaft 22 will quickly come up to speed and continue to rotate by reasonof the alternate energization and deenergization of the coil 30. lThe rotation of the armature'shaft 22 will be converted into oscillatory movement of the shaft 10 through the gearing and crank connection previously described, it being obvious that the wiping element l1 will -move through one complete oscillation for each complete revolution of the gear 15.

lrVlien it is .desired to stop the cleaner, 1t is only necessary to take hold of the knob 46 .and bring the shaft 22 to rest by the application of a small amount of pressure. When the shaft is brought to rest with both projections 45 out of engagement with the shoe 44, it is obvious that the armature will remain in this position. If by any chance the shaft should be held by the knob 46' with one of the projections 45 in engagement with the shoe 44, then the armature will tend to turn as the pressure of the lingers is released, and will automatically move' itself into a pos`ition in which the coil 30 is deenergized by the separation of the contacts 42 and 43. The pressure of the fingers will oppose turning beyond this point andthe shaft 22 will remain at rest.

Referring again to Fig. 8, a screw 47 is provided for adjusting the distance between the contacts 42 and 43. The screw 47 is in threaded engagement with the end wall of the casing 1. with one end thereof abutting insulation 48 interposed between the disk 37 and the screw 47. By turning the screw 47 into the casing, the lower portion of the disk 37 can be flexed in the direction of the disk 39, thereby decreasing the distance between the contacts 42 and 43. In this way, the time interval during which the contacts 42 and 43 are held in engagement by a projection 45,

can be varied for regulating the speed of the armature Shaft. e

, It is obvious from a consideration of Figs. 7 and 8, that the closer the contacts 42 and 43 are to each other, the greater will be the period of time during which the coil 30 is energized for each engagement of the'shoe 44 by a projection 45. It therefore follows that the torque developed and the speed of the shaft 22 will be greatest for the closest setting of the contacts 42 and 43. In order to decrease the speed of rotation, it is only necessary to turn the screw 47 outvof the casing, whereupon the disk 37 will return to its original position and the contacts will move farther apart. A lock nut 49 is provided to secure the screw 47 in position.

From the foregoing it is apparent that by my invention I have provided an improved windshield cleaner in which an oscillatory movement is imparted to the wiping element by means of an extremely simdestructive arcing at the points of make and the fact that the contacts break, owing to 42 and 4 3 are composed of non-arcng metal, suoli as platinum, or alloys having the same properties. The only sliding engagement between current carrying parts is continuous, so that there is no possibility of arcing occurring `between the plate 31 and the shoe 44.

The reduction gearing between the armature shaft 22 and the wiping element shaft 10 1s such as to resultina relatively'slow movement ofthe wiping element 11, compared to the speed of the shaft 22. For a given setting of the contacts 42 and 43, the armature shaft 22 is adapted to make approximately 1200 revolutions per minute, while the element 11 makes but fifty complete oscillations during Consequently, the wiping element 11 can be brought to rest in any desired position by taking hold ofthe knob 46, for it is obvious that any slight turning of the shaft 22 while' the knob. 1s being held, will result in no appreciable movement of the element 11. In this respect, my cleaner differs radically Vfrom priorelectric' motor driven cleaners, controlled by a switch, for the reason that the ordinary electric motor shaft continues to turn through a number of revolutions after the current is turned off, thereby mov ing the wiping element.

I claim, j

l. vIn a device of the class described, a ro tatable armature having windings and polar extremities, a non of magnetic material disposed around said armature, a cam member carried by said ar mature, a stationary contact member, a mov-4 able contact mcm er, and a second cam .member adapted to operate said movable contact member upon being engaged by said first cam member.

2. In a device of the class described, a rotatable armature having windings and polar the saine period of time.

polarized stationary yoke extremities, a non polarized stationary yoke of magnetic material disposed around said armature, a cam member carried by said armature` a stationary contact member, a movable contact member, a second cam member adapted to operate said movable contact member upon being engaged by said first cam member, and adjustable means for movin@r said stationary contact member toward said movable contact member.

3. An electromagnetic motor forwindshield clean-ers, comprising a casing of magnete material in the form of a hollow rectangular parallelepiped With one side missing, a shaft of magnetic material rotatably mounted Within said casing, with its axis parallel to the central longitudinal axis'of said casing, but offset With respect thereto, a Winding symmetrical about the axis of rotation otl said shaft, a pair of transverse pieces of bare magnetic material carried by said shaft at opposite ends of said windin and means controlled by the rotation o said shaft to periodically cause a unidirectional current to oW through said winding, whereby al torque isapplied to said shaft when said transverse pieces approach the parallel edges of said casing along the open .side

thereof.

RALPH G. AREY. 

